(w/ADD SECOND) State Security Service detains former Riga councilor for activities in Russia's interests

• Published date: 01 August 2022
• Publication title: LETA

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RIGA, Aug 1 (LETA) - The State Security Service has detained Ruslans Pankratovs, a former member of Riga City Council, on suspicions of publicly supporting Russia's crimes against Ukraine and its people and breaching international sanctions, LETA was told at the State Security Service.

Last weekend the State Security Service raided three locations in Riga and its vicinity. The suspect was detained on Saturday, July 30.

The arrest follows a criminal probe that was launched on July 29 over crimes against peace and public glorification and justification of war crimes, as well as violation of sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU).

Evidence obtained by investigators suggest that the suspect had been using Russian propaganda websites to justify Russia's war in Ukraine and war crimes committed by Russian troops. The person had also been spreading disinformation about Latvia and its allies in order to discredit them.

Pankratovs is also suspected of collaborating with a person sanctioned by the EU.

TV3 News program reported that two weeks ago, on July 17, Pankratovs visited cities occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province. In footage posted on Russian propaganda channel Vesti.ru Pankratovs is seen participating in a news conference given by occupation authorities about a referendum on the occupied cities' inclusion in Russia.

Citing unconfirmed information, TV3 News said that Pankratovs had been operating as the Kremlin's influence agent for a long time.

During the searches, the State Security Service seized a...